Education:

Montessori Teaching Diploma (ages 2-6)

Autism Intervention Certificate (ABA)

B.A Psychology (2007)

M.A Counselling Psychology (2015)

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Training:

Equine Facilitated Wellness and Animal Assisted Therapy (Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness)

Canine Assisted Integration Specialist Certificate (University of Denver)

Play Therapy (BCRPA) 

Theraplay

Parent-Child attachment coaching

Mission Hospice Volunteer Bereavement/Grief and Loss Training

Fraser Health Trauma Informed Practice Facilitator

Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience (NEAR) Training

Critical Incident and Stress Reduction courses (Justice Institute of BC)

Clinical Supervision Course (2024)

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Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)

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Standing Tall - Guiding Principles

Standing Tall implements The Five Freedoms and the Five Domains of Animal Welfare in practice

 (Farm Animal Welfare Council, UK)

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  The Five Freedoms

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst

2. Freedom from discomfort

3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease

4. Freedom to express normal behaviour

5. Freedom from fear and distress

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 Standing Tall Ethical Practice Guidelines

I believe that animals are deeply feeling, wise, intelligent and sentient beings and that any engagement with them should promote choice, consent and mutual benefit. Animals are not tools for us to "work with" or beings for us to dominate or control. Interactions with animals at Standing Tall are guided by the following ethical principles:

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1. The animal partner is at all times invited into any particular interaction (no animal is made or forced to engage in anything at any time - invitations to connect and "to be with" are extended)

2. The animal maintains choice at all times in whether to engage and when to disengage with people

3. The animal will at all times have a space for rest away from people that can be uninterrupted

4. Biological needs will always be honoured such as access to water, food and bathroom breaks

5. Comprehensive assessment of each species worked with will be practiced at all times in pre assessment for suitability of helping work, during sessions and post session care

6. The animal will maintain control over its own body as much as possible (if they are being touched, where, when and for how long), comfort level in the environments we are asking them to be in with us as well as social interactions (personal agency)

7. Those working with the animal will be taught appropriate interaction before being introduced to the animal and sessions will be built around building respectful and relational practice with the animal as part of the triad

8. Ground work with equines is offered, however it is important to note that we are not a riding program. Ample learnings and therapeutic benefits exist in establishing respectful relationships with the animals and in the groundwork we offer. 

 

*While these ethical principles are practiced where possible, working with horses and any animal presents a multitude of safety considerations. While dogs are unleashed and horses are un tethered as much as possible, there may be times when leashes and halters are used for safety*

 

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https://aaaip.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/AAAIP%205%20Freedoms%20%26%205%20Domains%20FINAL.pdf

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